Perceived gain or loss? How digital affordances influence employee corporate entrepreneurship participation likelihood

Abstract Based on conservation of resources theory, this paper examines the mediating mechanisms in the relationship between digital affordances and employee corporate entrepreneurship participation likelihood. Findings from an experimental study with 207 employees show a statistically significant and positive indirect effect of digital affordances on employee corporate entrepreneurship participation likelihood through employee‐perceived information technology support for innovation and a statistically significant and—contrary to our expectations—positive indirect effect through employee‐perceived work overload. Results are corroborated by insights from in‐depth interviews with senior managers. They provide support for digital affordances as action potentials that are associated with resource gains that in turn foster employee corporate entrepreneurship participation likelihood.